"Exploring existing potentials, especially in trade and commerce, can spark a major leap in economic ties between Iran and Iraq," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

"This will help with the welfare and development situation of both Iranian and Iraqi nations," he said.

The website quoted Barzani as saying Kurdistan was prepared for a full expansion of ties, which he said, was of "great importance" to the autonomous region.

Barzani also met with Tehran's top security official, Saeed Jalili, telling him that trade between Iran and his region had exceeded $8 billion, ISNA news agency reported, without providing any additional details.

Jalili, who heads the Supreme National Security Council, insisted on keeping Iran's restive borders with the Iraqi Kurdistan region as peaceful as possible.

"Minor issues should not be allowed to prevent the development of strategic plans," Jalili was quoted as saying.

Iran's western regions, which border western Iraq and southern Turkey, have been the scene of sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and members of the armed Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK).

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks on peaceIslamabad (AFP) Nov 11, 2012 Islamabad and Kabul will hold three days of talks on achieving peace in Afghanistan this week, Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Relations between the neighbours are often tense and Kabul has accused Pakistan of supporting Taliban Islamists in their 11-year insurgency against the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.
Pakistan has always rejected the accusations, ... read more

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